It’s time to get freaky, Africana style. Supafrik has debuted at Kensington Market’s Hotshot exhibition space, and it’s the first pop-up shop of its kind in Toronto. Chinedu Ukabam, designer of Chinedesign and curator of the pop-up, wants to bring urban contemporary Africana to the streets of Toronto.
“I am doing something that I am not seeing being done,” he says. “I think Toronto is not missing it because of lack of interest – people are very interested in it — but it’s about how to contextualize it in an environment that’s cool.”
The shop will be profiling African-inspired art, clothing and literature. On offer are Ohema Ohene sneakers from London —styled using African prints — and Aya, the African graphic novel by Marguerite Abouet.
The pop-up was created so Torontonians could see a more relatable and contemporary Africa. Ukabam hopes Supafrik will become an annual event, and maybe even a permanent spot if demand calls for it.
Before Supafrik, Ukabam’s claim to fame was his clothing line Chinedesign. “The collection I am mostly showing here is called Afrotropolis, which I released a few months back. I wanted to capture that whole urban, contemporary Africana.”
Going off the idea of Rick James, being super freaky is what brings in the crowd. “To be freaky is to be different and to be super is always a good thing,” Ukabam says.
The shop opened last week and will remain open until July 31.
Supafrik, Hotshot, 181 Augusta Ave., July 14-31, 11:00 a.m-7:00 p.m.